The Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century is one of the most prominent early music orchestras in the world. The musicians play internationally in leading (chamber) music ensembles and meet several times a year for performances of iconic and lesser-known repertoire. In the early 1980s, the orchestra achieved world fame by performing grand symphonic work on original instruments and in a historically informed manner. A revolution that never really stopped.
But the uniqueness of the orchestra is not only in the sound or the way of playing. Ever since it was founded by Frans Brüggen more than forty years ago, musicians have never taken a score for granted. The approach is critical, curious, investigative and progressive. Core values from the Enlightenment that all orchestra members hold in high esteem. That is why every performance is a new challenge and the iconic repertoire remains alive and kicking.
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PRESS
„Standing ovation at the end!“
Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung, 8 April 2024
„The other starry performance of the evening came from the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century.“
Bachtrack, 16th October 2019
SELECTION OF PROJECTS 2026/27
February 2027
COMBATTIMENTO
with Ian Bostridge, tenor // Anna Prohaska, soprano // 2 Dancers (tbc) // Claire Van Campen, stage direction
Achieving the greatest possible impact with the most economical means—this could well have been Claudio Monteverdi’s guiding principle in the creation of his madrigal. With just three voices and a small string ensemble, the work stirred powerful emotions among audiences at its 1624 premiere. The Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century, under the direction of Claire van Campen, expands this chamber-like stage work by adding two dancers as well as music by Barbara Strozzi. The Venetian composer was known for publishing primarily secular vocal music intended for private performance.
C. Monterverdi: Il combattimento di Tancredi et Clorinda / Works by B. Strozzi
DOWNLOADS
PAST CONCERTS – A SELECTION
5 April 2024 Heidelberger Frühling
BEETHOVEN
Alena Baeva, violin
L. v. Beethoven: Violin concerto in D major op. 61
L. v. Beethoven: Symphony no. 2 in D major op. 36
Alena Baeva © studio visuell
25 MAY 2022 Elbphilharmonie Hamburg
J. Haydn: The Seasons
Nicolas Altstaedt, Dirigent / Christina Landhamer (Hanne) / Ian Bostridge (Lukas) / Florian Boesch (Simon) Capella Amsterdam
